Alpha science toys：Your Guide to International Toy Safety Requirements

The global toy industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is expected to continue to grow. Therefore, there will be a lot of interest in exporting toys to different markets around the world. Ensuring product quality complies with various safety standards across the globe will challenge manufacturers. As a China educational toy manufacturer engaged in the educational toy industry for 16 years, Alpha science toys are well aware of the importance of product safety for children. Different standards for toy safety, for this purpose, the knowledge of toy safety standards in various countries are summarized. This article will help you understand the various safety requirements of the toy industry.

General Rules for Educational Toys for Children Worldwide

First, there are general rules and assumptions:

• ISO standards do not override local and federal government and agency safety standards, regulations, and testing procedures.

• Educational toys for children are designed and produced for a specific target group of children. When assessing whether a toy is safe, the developmental stage of the target age group must be considered. For example, how likely is it that a child in the target age group will swallow small parts of a toy? What are the developmental expectations of the target age group?

• Apart from the self-evident inherent risks, toys should not pose a risk to the well-being of children in the intended market. Can the child handle the toy reasonably without risk of injury?

• Children still need adult supervision when playing with educational toys, as accidents may occur during play. You need to test whether potential harm can be prevented in the presence of an adult.

• When evaluating a toy for safety, assume reasonable wear and tear.

main standard

As mentioned earlier, different regions and countries have their own toy safety standards. The following are the main ones:

EN71

EN71 is the European children's toy safety standard. It mainly complies with the European Children's Toy Safety Directive. EN71 also covers toy safety regulations in the UK. In the UK, there are seven standards and one separate standard governing the electrical safety of toys.

This legislation sets out safety requirements for all toys manufactured for children under 14 years of age. Products that are not marketed as toys but still have the appearance of a toy are also subject to EN71. Certain educational toys for children, such as toy slings and catapults, are exempt from this restriction. The standard is divided into six sections covering different aspects of safety such as flammability, toxicity, and safety marking. All children's toys imported into Europe must bear the CE mark.

CE compliance symbol

ASTM F963

ASTM F963 is the American children's toy safety standard. Toys must comply with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The goal of ASTM F963 is to reveal any hazards that may not be readily apparent to the public when children's toys are used as intended. ASTM F963 also outlines requirements and test methods for toys manufactured for children under the age of 14. Requirements vary by age group.

ISO 8124

The ISO 8124 standard was developed through the cooperation of experts from different countries such as Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. There are 25 participating countries and 30 observer countries. This standard has been required or used as a reference by countries in about 20 countries, including Australia and China. The goal of ISO standards is to create consistency among the world's major standards. Regulations in one market may differ from regulations in another market. Therefore, compliance with regulations in one country does not guarantee compliance in another.

Although ISO standards were created to create consistency across key standards, meeting them does not automatically guarantee compliance in every country. Toys must meet each country's own set of safety standards. Therefore, it is necessary to confirm with each country what their children's toy safety requirements are.

test suggestion

With standards changing around the world, it's important to incorporate common best practices into a quality assurance program that covers all bases. The following are suggested inspections and tests to perform during the inspection:

• Main test

• Real performance

• Tensions and seams

• fall

• curved

• compression

• Flammability

• Torque

• Safety, maintenance, and warning label inspection

• Internal inspection

• mechanical hazards

• padding

• specific tests

• Humidity testing of wooden toys

• smell

• Adhesive on logo/label

• Electrical

• Chemical

• Hygiene

• Metal detection

While different regions have their own requirements, that doesn't mean global compliance is a daunting task. By establishing quality inspection practices that cover all necessary areas, your products will be able to achieve compliance.

As a professional China educational toy company, Alpha Scientific Toys has been adhering to the mission of delivering professional and safe children's educational toys to children all over the world. All products are made of high-quality materials, and quality control is always carried out in accordance with the highest international standards. It meets the global national toy safety testing standards, so you can rest assured to cooperate with us and send scientific dreams to children all over the world.